CHLOE HILL FROM BOULEVARD SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL NEGLECT IN HULL

Chloe Hill, born on June 9, 1997, and residing on Graham Avenue, Airlie Street, Boulevard, Hull HU3 3JQ, has been convicted of severe animal neglect that shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike.

Hill’s case came to light after the RSPCA prosecuted her following the discovery of the mummified remains of her elderly dog, Porsha, a nine-year-old Shih Tzu. The dog was taken to a veterinary clinic for cremation, but veterinary staff became alarmed upon examining her body, prompting them to contact the RSPCA for further investigation.

Inspector Laura Barber was dispatched to assess the situation and described the scene in court. She recounted arriving to find Porsha’s body atop a freezer, a sight that was both heartbreaking and disturbing. Inspector Barber stated, “On top of the freezer was a pitiful, shocking sight of a deceased dog. It was unrecognisable what breed of dog it was.” She further explained that Porsha appeared to be a mummified animal, with every bone visible through her emaciated body, including ribs, pelvis, and spinal bones. The condition of the dog was profoundly upsetting to witness.

Further examination revealed that Porsha was almost completely bald and had a body condition score of just one out of nine, indicating extreme malnutrition. Veterinary records showed that she had not been seen by a veterinarian since October 2020, and an appointment scheduled for April 2022 had been missed, suggesting prolonged neglect.

Veterinary staff who examined Porsha’s remains described her as an emaciated female dog, with her body almost devoid of hair and infested with fleas. The nails on all four paws were severely overgrown, with some nails curling into the pads, which would have caused her significant pain and difficulty walking. Her right eye was milky white, indicating a severe cataract, and it appeared she had been suffering from vision impairment for some time. Despite her age being recorded as nine years and 11 months, her teeth were in better condition than expected for a dog of that age.

Veterinary experts concluded that Porsha’s weight loss was gradual, likely occurring over several months rather than weeks. They emphasized that if Hill had sought veterinary care earlier, her dog’s underlying health issues could have been diagnosed and treated. If her condition was deemed untreatable, humane euthanasia could have been considered to prevent further suffering. Instead, Porsha was left to endure her pain and decline in health.

Chloe Hill pleaded guilty to charges of neglecting her dog and failing to protect her from pain, suffering, injury, or disease by not seeking appropriate veterinary treatment. During the court proceedings, Hill expressed remorse and claimed to have loved Porsha. She stated that her actions were made in good faith but were influenced by poor advice from others.

The deputy district judge presiding over the case noted that Hill’s conduct exceeded the threshold for immediate imprisonment. However, her early guilty plea, lack of previous convictions, and her caring responsibilities were factors that prevented a custodial sentence at this stage.

Following the sentencing, Inspector Barber commented on the case, saying, “I’ve been an inspector for over 17 years but I’ve never seen a dog that was so unrecognisable I couldn’t tell the breed. It would have been clear that Porsha needed help well before she was taken to the vets, yet her plight was ignored. The shocking sight of her lying there, emaciated and almost completely bald, is something that will stay with me for some time.”

The court sentenced Chloe Hill to a 12-week prison term, suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £400. Additionally, she received an eight-year ban from keeping any animals, a restriction that will remain in effect until June 2031.